Midlife Miracles

A friend sent a note through Facebook today. She is vacationing in Germany and with the volcanic eruption in Iceland, she is one of those who is stranded until air flights can resume. She writes, ‘you gotta marvel at the strength of nature as we humans are so insignificant’. We often create the illusion that we are in control and it is in volcanic moments we become aware of a greater power, one against which we have little defense except to yield and follow its direction. In the process we feel our insignificance, our powerlessness and our inability to control the powers that be.

I am reminded of my own midlife volcanic eruption. All flights were cancelled. All of my life was put on hold. I had little warning. The only clues was a prolonged mood of restlessness and a fear of death and being alone. I resisted. In the end I was enticed out. I did not bother to stop and take a calculated risk. I simply went. Intuitively I went to the place of the west, the place where the sun sets and in symbolic meaning represents the ‘ending of things’. Intuitively, I went to the place of the water, which represents the symbol of ‘life’. In that place I would come to know the meaning of ‘you cannot live until you know how to die’.

From the ash heap, the phoenix rises. It comes from going alone into the flames, to burn away the illusions, and to rise from the ashes with the prize of one’s true self. Feng Shui Master, Lan Kan Chen wrote, ‘The phoenix with its great beauty, creates intense excitement and deathless inspiration’. It sheds light on the volcanic eruption and what comes from the ashes. It is about the events unfolding within. It is wounding and it is liberating. It comes with its underlying theme of birth and death, and redemption and evolution. We yield to its direction. The flight paths are open again. We take hold of our significance, our power and our ability to create. It is time to come home, to live in harmony with the powers that be.

Question: Share what is creating excitement and inspiration for you. What direction is it taking you? Iwould love to hear from you!